Myna in New Brighton, Christchurch

[Michael Szabo]

I see that Simon Fordham has also commented on this story on Facebook: "On Tiritiri Matangi Island, I have witnessed mynas pulling kakariki chicks out of a nest, for no apparent reason. They have also been known to destroy active saddleback nests, as well as utilise nesting boxes intended for various endemic species, inside the forest."

[jimmifinn]

Here in Wanganui, we have had Mynahs for many years. They are bullies and regularly take over starling nests. I have seen them pecking at House Sparrow nests. Whether they were after the eggs or chicks, I don't know.

They are not nice birds and shouldn't be encouraged in new areas.

Jim Norris

[Neil Fitzgerald]

You might be surprised how many people still think mynas and magpies ARE the biggest threat (because they see them). I believe the native birds on Tiri (and Tawh, and Shakespear) are still doing ok, despite the mynas, and I wouldn't worry too much about them bullying starlings and house sparrows. I've never suggested leaving them – it could be terrible if they got into mohua areas – but I do think the general public needs constant reminding that most of the country gets little to no control of mammalian preds, and they are vastly worse.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

A call bird in a cage trap would probably get one or both of these birds by sunset. I could probably send a bird down, although a falcon took one in the garden this morning so the rest of the gang might be a little wary for a day or two. If Andrew wants to put it to others in the council, I'm sure it could be arranged.

[gmckinlay]

I would think some kind of attractant + cage might be better than shooting. A cage with a remote trigger perhaps.

We had a single myna in Pohnpei, Micronesia which we took out by shooting some years back. However it was hard process, knowing that a missed shot would likely mean the bird would move elsewhere. We had an excellent shooter who took several days before getting his one shot. The bird flew off with a few less feathers.

It was never seen again, so presumably died as a result, but not having confirmation was not helpful.

Prior to the shooting I spent several days visiting, to observe the bird to enable a good plan to be developed. i am convinced the the bird quickly figured out that unlike everybody else I was paying attention to it, and so modified it's behavior in response to my presence such that I started having difficulty re-finding it. The fisheries workers at the site however, would see the bird acting normally, but when I wasn't there.

[andrewcrossland]

Rest assured folks, the mynas will be got one way or another - and the baby kakariki and saddlebacks will suffer no more.